Arne Slot’s VAR Frustrations: Are Liverpool Really Unlucky?
Arne Slot is convinced Liverpool have been on the wrong end of too many VAR calls this season—and the stats might actually back him up. After a controversial penalty decision went against them in their Champions League exit to PSG, the Dutch manager pointed to a pattern he believes has haunted his team all year. But is this just post-match frustration, or is there real data behind his claims?
The PSG Incident That Sparked the Debate
In the second leg against Paris St-Germain, Liverpool looked to be getting back into the tie when referee Maurizio Mariani awarded a 64th-minute penalty after Alexis Mac Allister went down under contact from Willian Pacho. But VAR quickly intervened, and after reviewing the footage, Mariani overturned his original call.
Slot didn’t hold back afterward: “So many decisions have gone against us this season.” He argued that while other teams benefit from soft penalties being upheld due to minimal contact, Liverpool’s similar appeals are routinely denied—or worse, reversed by VAR.
The key issue? Whether the contact from Pacho was enough to justify a fall. While there was physical touch—Pacho’s boot grazed Mac Allister’s—it appeared incidental rather than a deliberate challenge. In most cases, that level of contact wouldn’t trigger a VAR overturn unless the referee’s initial description of the foul (e.g., “trip” vs. “push”) significantly mismatched what replay showed.
Liverpool’s Season-Long VAR Record
Digging into the numbers reveals a troubling trend for the Reds:
- 3 VAR-awarded penalties conceded in the Premier League (vs. Brentford, Leeds, Man City)—more than any other club alongside Brighton.
- Only 2 penalties awarded all season, neither via VAR, and both came against Burnley.
- 6 total negative VAR interventions—second only to Fulham (9).
- Net VAR impact: -3 (favorable calls minus unfavorable), better only than Everton (-4).
Compare that to rivals like Manchester City or Arsenal, who’ve benefited from more favorable reviews, and it’s easy to see why Slot feels aggrieved.
Notable incidents include:
- A soft foul by Van Dijk on Dango Ouattara at Brentford turned into a penalty after VAR ruled the contact occurred inside the box.
- Ibrahima Konaté’s takedown of Wilfried Gnonto at Elland Road, which VAR correctly upgraded to a spot-kick.
- Giorgi Mamardashvili penalized for clipping Jeremy Doku at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s own penalty appeals—like Matheus Nunes being bundled over by Alisson in the reverse City fixture—went unrewarded despite clear contact.
Borderline Calls and the Human Element
Some of Slot’s gripes involve decisions that fall into the gray area—calls so close that even the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel can’t agree unanimously.
Examples include:
- Cody Gakpo’s challenge by Nathan Collins at Brentford (3-2 panel vote: no penalty correct).
- Leandro Trossard’s tackle on Florian Wirtz in the Arsenal match (3-2: no penalty correct).
- Diego Gómez’s red card at Anfield (3-2: should’ve stood).
These aren’t official VAR errors—they didn’t meet the “clear and obvious” threshold—but they fuel the perception of inconsistency. And perception matters, especially when your title hopes hinge on fine margins.
Why This Feels Different for Liverpool
It’s not just about raw numbers. Context amplifies the frustration:
- High-stakes matches: Many controversial calls happened in pivotal games—vs. City, at Brentford, in Europe.
- Offensive reliance: With a front line built on quick transitions and physical duels, marginal fouls in the box directly impact goal-scoring chances.
- Defensive vulnerability: Losing Van Dijk or Konaté to soft cards or penalties exposes a backline already under pressure.
Other managers—Guardiola, Carrick—have voiced similar complaints, but Liverpool’s combination of volume and timing makes their case stand out.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool have suffered the second-worst net VAR impact in the Premier League this season.
- Three penalties conceded via VAR is tied for the league high.
- Several borderline incidents weren’t classified as errors but still hurt results.
- Slot’s frustration is rooted in data, not just emotion.
- The PSG penalty reversal fits a recurring pattern of overturned calls in critical moments.
Conclusion
While no team gets every 50/50 call, Liverpool’s statistical disadvantage in VAR outcomes is real. Slot isn’t inventing a conspiracy—he’s reacting to measurable trends that have cost his side points and momentum. Whether this reflects systemic bias or just bad luck in tight situations remains debatable, but one thing’s clear: if Liverpool want to compete at the top, they’ll need more favorable bounces—or fewer trips to the monitor.
— Editorial Team
